Grooming

agnesthelion · May 23, 2012

Hi. New here. Agnes is a lionhead i got a couple months ago that has completely captured my heart.

As her mane comes in, I'm struggling with grooming.

I saw a few other lionhead/longer hair breed owners on here so hopefully they will see this...but how important is grooming?

I have no problem handling her, holding her, she has bonded to me and trusts me...but therein lies the problem. I don't want to break any trust or have her mad at me by grooming her!

So how important is it. I check her bottom area, get a few quick strokes in her mane, but should i press the issue with her and hold her down to be groomed? Or as long as she isn't matted don't worry...?

melbaby80 · May 23, 2012

My lion head is a double maned, so his fur is thick all over, but its never matted or hard to brush. He's molting so its starting to come out, but its super easy to brush him. He hates being on his back so I just sit him on my lap and brush away. Its quick. My English Angora is a whole different ball park. I use two different brushes on her, I also trim and pluck. She hates being groomed, but it hasn't ruined her relationship with me because she will still come up to me, climb on my lap, sniff me, dig in my lap right after being tortured by the mean brush. What I do let her do is bite the brush during a pause in brushing. She gets her frustrations out on the brush and not me. Her grooming lasts a while and I tend to her fur about 2-3 times a week to keep her from matting. So far so great!

ZRabbits · May 23, 2012

I've been grooming my two lion heads almost every day since the day I got them. I knew I would need to groom, because Lion Heads, with their wool, it's mandatory. So I started a little every day to get my two used to the process. It worked.

Though Neville will stay still, he still after a while gets antsy and either chews on the towel or the table to let me know he had enough. But his time span is growing and he's doing so much better. Luna, she not to much of a handful. She seems to like the grooming so she does stay still. By still I mean within a 2 foot square area.

It's all work in progress. But it is a very important part of keeping them healthy. And it is a good way to help the bonding process.

K

agnesthelion · May 23, 2012

Thanks. I will continue to work on grooming. Agnes is a double mane too so as it continues to come in her fur is getting thicker and thicker.

Ironically I let her bite the comb too. So I guess I was doing something right there!

and when I'm done, she does always come right back over to me but her demeanor is almost like shes saying, " I'm mad, don't do that again, what is wrong with you!" so then I go a few days before trying again. But I will continue working on it. Thanks!!

LakeCondo · May 23, 2012

Even if it's not matted, if they eat too much of their hair, it can mess up their digestive system.

MiniLopHop · May 23, 2012

I have an angora and he doesn't like the grooming. I tell him to take it up with his bunwife. His first wife was better at keeping the wool behind his ears tangle free.

I try to do bits every day so we don't have to deal with mats. I use a rake, slicker, and two kinds of combs depending on where on his body and wool condition. He HATES getting under his chin so I let him bite the comb. Unfortunately he gets my fingers sometimes because he can't see where he's biting.

I make sure to end on a good note of petting and a yummy snack. I think that preserves our relationship. He likes to nose bonk my ankles as he hops around, demanding a quick pet before he runs off, so he can't be afraid of me. He's a pretty happy go lucky boy.